Howie Kendrick Retirement: Most Important Home Runs in World Series History
Photo Via: Troy Taormina — USA Today Sports
Howie Kendrick announced his retirement a week ago, which immediately spurs the memory of those who watched the 2019 World Series. Although Howie’s career was much more than just that series, his home run in Game 7 to give the Washington Nationals the lead over the Houston Astros was certainly his career-defining moment. He did also hit a series-changing grand slam versus the Dodgers in that same Postseason on his way to becoming the NLCS MVP in the next round. This sparks the question: What are the most important and iconic home runs in World Series history?
Here are the top 12 most important and iconic World Series home runs, ranked by Lunch Break Baseball. Enjoy some of baseball’s greatest moments.
12. Dusty Rhodes (New York Giants - Game 1 - 1954 vs Cleveland Indians)
A pinch-hit walk-off home run in Game 1 of the World Series happens more than once on this list, but that does not make the accomplishment any less impressive. Dusty Rhodes of the New York Giants popped a home run just over the right field wall in the corner of the Polo Grounds. This clutch hit gave the Giants a 1-0 series lead over the Cleveland Indians in 1954.
Rhodes’ hit happened in the 10th inning, spoiling the start by Cleveland’s ace Bob Lemon. Eventually, the Giants swept the Indians 4-0. The Indians had won 111 regular season games that year, but were unable to muster one win after Rhodes’ heroic shot.
11. Alex Gonzalez (Florida Marlins - Game 4 - 2003 vs New York Yankees)
Sometimes, even a World Series walk-off home run can be overshadowed and lost in the craziness of a Postseason. Alex Gonzalez’s walk-off might not be the most well-remembered walk-off tank in World Series history, but it sure was important. The Florida Marlins trailed the Yankees two games to one in the 2003 World Series, and Game 4 entered extra innings.
In the bottom of the 12th inning, Yankees’ pitcher Jeff Weaver faced off against Gonzalez in a tie game. Gonzalez, who was a defensive-minded shortstop, cracked a line drive over the left field wall that broke the 3-3 tie and gave the Marlins a 4-3 win. The Marlins carried that momentum into the next two games, winning each and becoming World Series champions once again.
The 2003 Postseason provided other classic events, such as Aaron Boone’s walk-off home run in Game 7 of the ALCS for the Yankees against the Red Sox. It was also the same Postseason in which Steve Bartman became the most famous baseball fan in the history of the sport. It is possible that these two moments contributed to the lack of recognition that Gonzalez receives, but Gonzalez’s home run is one of the most important home runs in the league’s history.
10. Kirby Puckett (Minnesota Twins - Game 6 - 1991 vs Atlanta Braves)
The Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins battled throughout the 1991 World Series. In Game 6, the Twins’ Kirby Puckett, a future Hall of Famer, delivered a walk-off bomb in extra innings. Puckett was the ALCS MVP that season, but his World Series home run was monumental. It tied the series, forcing a Game 7 which the Twins would ultimately win, giving Puckett his second World Series win with the club (1987).
9. Reggie Jackson (New York Yankees - Game 6 - 1977 vs Los Angeles Dodgers)
The 1977 World Series featured a complete takeover by Reggie Jackson. Not only did Jackson hit a home run in three consecutive plate appearances in Game 6, but he did so on three consecutive pitches and against three different pitchers. The Yankees clinched the World Series win over the Dodgers that night and Jackson earned himself the nickname ‘Mr. October’. Jackson went on to be named the World Series MVP and famously needed to rush off the field and barrel through hundreds of fans in order to safely retreat to the clubhouse.
8. Babe Ruth (New York Yankees - Game 3 - 1932 vs Chicago Cubs)
This home run is the most unique, but possibly the most well-known one to make this list. The legend of The Called Shot of the 1932 World Series by Babe Ruth is one of baseball’s greatest historical debates. Ruth and the Chicago Cubs possessed fierce disdain for one another, and just about everybody knew it. The legend has it that The Great Bambino pointed towards the flag pole beyond centerfield to let pitcher Charlie Root know where the next pitch was going to be hit. There is no doubt as to whether Ruth actually hit the home run, as he clobbered one to break a 4-4 tie in Game 3.
However, some skeptics believe Ruth was pointing at the Cubs’ dugout or some heckling fans. But part of what makes the home run so legendary is the mystique of getting to the bottom of the real, true story.
7. Carlton Fisk (Boston Red Sox - Game 6 - 1975 vs Cincinnati Reds)
Carlton Fisk came to bat to lead off the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 6 in the 1975 World Series. The Cincinnati Reds led the series three games to two, so the Red Sox were facing elimination. Boston had not won a World Series since 1918, so the thirst for a ring became dire.
Fisk hooked a deep fly ball to the left field corner and famously urged the ball fair by waving his arms as he hopped towards first base. In dramatic fashion, the ball collided with the foul pole, and the Red Sox forced a Game 7. Unfortunately for Boston, the Reds took Game 7 and the search for a title in Beantown continued.
Fisk did end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame, deservedly so, being an 11-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, and the American League Rookie of the Year. However, his iconic career will long be remembered for this moment.
6. Derek Jeter (New York Yankees - Game 4 - 2001 vs Arizona Diamondbacks)
Not many players in the game’s history have a Postseason highlight reel as long as Jeter’s. But as far as World Series home runs go, this was his most iconic. The 2001 season was stopped for two weeks after the terror attacks on September 11th. Baseball then returned and many Americans, specifically New Yorkers, needed it more than ever.
When World Series play returned to The Bronx for the fourth consecutive season, the Yankees were already down 2-0 in the series to the Diamondbacks. President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch and the Yankees squeezed out a win in Game 3 to close the gap.
Game 4 began on Halloween night, and the Yankees trailed 3-1 in the 9th inning. Down to their last out, Tino Martinez tied the game with a 2-run blast, setting the stage in the 10th inning for the first November at bat in baseball history. Just after the clock struck midnight, Derek Jeter dug his cleats into the batter’s box. Byung-Hyun Kim threw the pitch from his submarine-level arm angle, and Jeter put a charge into it.
The Stadium erupted and a fan (pictured below) proudly displayed a sign that referred to Jeter for the first of many times as ‘Mr. November’. In a city that desperately sought distraction, the Yankees provided wins in all three home games in that World Series. However, the Diamondbacks won all four of their home games in the desert and became champions.
5. Kirk Gibson (Los Angeles Dodgers - Game 1 - 1988 vs Oakland Athletics)
Vin Scully’s call of Kirk Gibson’s Game 1 walk-off home run in 1988.
Jack Buck’s call of Kirk Gibson’s Game 1 walk-off home run in 1988.
Kirk Gibson had one plate appearance in the 1988 World Series. He definitely made it count. Serving as a pinch hitter with the Dodgers trailing the Athletics by one run in the bottom of the 9th, the hobbled Gibson stepped in to face the current Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley.
The count ran full and Mike Davis stood on second base as the tying run. Gibson then got a hold of an Eckersley slider and sent it just past the right field wall. The moment was an instant classic with Gibson pumping his fist as he limped around the bases. Jack Buck and Vin Scully each had memorable calls of the best ending to a first game of a World Series the game has ever seen.
To this day, the 1988 Dodgers’ manager Tommy Lasorda claims he spoke with Gibson prior to the at bat that he needed to hit a home run since he would not have to run the bases. Indeed, Gibson homered, but his lingering injuries did not stop him from covering all 360 feet around the bases.
4. Howie Kendrick (Washington Nationals - Game 7 - 2019 vs Houston Astros)
Here is where Kendrick’s World Series home run ranks amongst the best of all-time. Kendrick’s shot actually became even more important after the series. His opposite field line drive clanked off the right field foul pole, giving the Washington Nationals their first lead of Game 7. Washington eventually beat the Houston Astros that night. But weeks later, the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal was brought to light. Kendrick possibly saved baseball from taking on the scandal’s second tainted title.
Scandal aside, Kendrick’s home run was magnificent in its own regard. Astros’ right-hander Will Harris was brought in to relieve starter Zack Greinke, who was mowing down Nationals batters until Anthony Rendon tagged him for a solo home run and Juan Soto walked. With one runner on and the Nats down by a run in the 7th inning, Kendrick’s home run ended up becoming the game and series winner.
The win brought the Washington Nationals their first ever World Series title. As Kendrick has now decided to retire, Game 7 of the 2019 World Series was his final career Postseason game.
3. Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Pirates - Game 7 - 1960 vs New York Yankees)
A walk-off home run in Game 7 of the World Series is almost impossible to even script. In fact, Bill Mazeroski is the only person to walk this earth to even accomplish the feat. The Yankees and Pirates squared off in the 1960 World Series and future Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski hit a rocket that cleared the left field wall to win the game. It was the Pirates’ third World Series title in team history and their first in 35 years at that point.
2. David Freese (St. Louis Cardinals - Game 6 - 2011 vs Texas Rangers)
Game 6 of the 2011 World Series was wild. With two on and two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, the Cardinals were down to their final strike of the season with Freese at the plate. He laced a line drive triple past Nelson Cruz in right field, tying the game at 7.
Then in extra innings, Josh Hamilton hit a two-run homer to give the lead back to the Rangers. The Cardinals rallied back to tie it again, and eventually Freese stepped up to the plate to lead off the 11th inning. Mark Lowe delivered the pitch and Freese delivered the epic home run, right onto the lawn behind the centerfield fence.
The moment received an extra boost in the rankings due to the fact that Freese became a hometown hero in the course of winning Game 6. He attended high school in Wildwood, Missouri, near St. Louis.
The moment also included a fantastic call by national broadcaster, Joe Buck. Buck paid tribute to his late father’s call for Kirby Puckett’s walk-off home run twenty years prior (“We will see you tomorrow night!”). Interestingly enough, Buck is also a St. Louis area native.
1. Joe Carter (Toronto Blue Jays - Game 6 - 1993 vs Philadelphia Phillies)
Joe Carter’s 1993 home run tops our list for many reasons. His is one of only two home runs in baseball history that clinched a World Series (see Mazeroski at #3). Although it happened in Game 6 and not the final do-or-die scenario for the Blue Jays, the home run occurred when the Blue Jays were down by a run in the bottom of the 9th. The moment also gets extra points for an all-time call by Tom Cheek, the Blue Jays’ radio announcer, when he exclaimed, “Touch ‘em all, Joe! You’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!”
Mitch Williams nearly fell over as he delivered the pitch and Carter nearly jumped through the roof of the stadium as he circled the bases. All around, no home run as been as iconic and important as this one. This shot gave the Blue Jays back-to-back World Series titles.